Splish, splosh, splash at soggy Country2Coast in Hawke's Bay

Most of the 550 people registered for the Country2Coast event from Havelock North to Clive turned up in spite of the rain. Photo / Paul Taylor

Walkers and runners who braved the rain for yesterday's Hawke's Bay Today Country2Coast event were the only bright spot in an otherwise grey, soggy day in Hawke's Bay.

Participants had the option to take part in a 3km, 8km or 17km walk or run over the Hawke's Bay trails and while most wore regular fitness attire and rain gear, some broke out the fluoro, tutus and other fancy dress to celebrate the event, now in its ninth year.

About 550 people had registered to take part and event organiser Kevin Longman said most showed up.

"It was by far the wettest event we've had but it didn't really pack in until after it was over and the good thing is it wasn't cold so that helped us.

"We were surprised that so many people turned up despite the weather."

The event was one of the Havelock North Rotary Club's main fundraisers and this year they chose to give the proceeds to the Waimarama Surf Lifesaving Club.

Surf Lifesaving Club members who took on the 3km run from Waitangi Reserve to Farndon Park took 18 minutes to complete their mission, and delivered on their promise to carry one of their inflatable rescue boats all the way to the finish line.

The 3km event was added to the programme for the first time this year to encourage people to take their young families out and discover the trails, and Longman said it achieved the goal.

"There were quite a few young kiddies and it was a pleasure to seem them come across the finish line looking so rapt for themselves that they had achieved it."

Overall, Longman said it was great and thanked the Hawke's Bay Today and other sponsors for enabling it to happen.

He said a cheque- the amount not known yet - would be presented to the Waimarama Surf Lifesaving Club at an event in July.

Photos and the times for each of the competitors who had their bib displayed at the finish line would be available on the website www.country2coast.co.nz today.

Those who didn't sign up or make it to the event can still make a donation to the Waimarama Surf Lifesaving Club on the givealittle page givealittle.co.nz/org/waimaramasurflifesavingclub